p2pnet headline roundups, April 9, 2008
p2pnet headline roundups | Last of the day
Indonesia blocks access to YouTube over anti-Koran film – Reuters
At least four Indonesian firms providing Internet services have blocked access to the YouTube Web site for carrying a Dutch lawmaker’s film that accuses the Koran of inciting violence, an information ministry official said on Tuesday. The move follows a government ban on broadcasts of the film by Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch anti-immigration Freedom Party, which alternates images of the September 11, 2001 attacks and other Islamist bombings with quotations from the Koran. Titled "Fitna," a Koranic term sometimes translated as "strife", it also shows an image of the Prophet Mohammad primed to explode and says the rising number of Muslims in Europe threatens democratic values. Sukemi, the information ministry spokesman, said telecommunication firms PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) and PT Exelcomindo Pratama Tbk, and Internet provider Indonet had blocked access to YouTube.
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BBC announces Nintendo Wii deal – BBC
The BBC’s iPlayer video service will soon be available via the Nintendo Wii. The video download and streaming service that lets people catch up with BBC programmes will soon be a channel on the hugely popular game console. Early versions of the service will be available from 9 April but more polished software will be released as the service is developed. The BBC is still at loggerheads with internet service providers (ISPs) over who should pay for extra network costs.
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Google yanks App Engine demo after blogosphere brouhaha – Computerworld
Just a day after launching a preview version of its new Google App Engine, Google Inc. yesterday yanked one of the development product’s demo applications after a blogosphere brouhaha erupted over its origin. The move came after bloggers contended that the real-time chat demo application for Google App Engine, called HuddleChat, was a copy of the Campfire real-time chat application from 37Signals LLC. Jason Fried, founder of 37Signals, told blog ReadWriteWeb that while the company is flattered that Google thinks Campfire is a great product, "we’re disappointed that they stooped so low to basically copy it feature for feature, layout for layout."
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FBI Data Transfers Via Telecoms Questioned – Washington Post
When FBI investigators probing New York prostitution rings, Boston organized crime or potential terrorist plots anywhere want access to a suspect’s telephone contacts, technicians at a telecommunications carrier served with a government order can, with the click of a mouse, instantly transfer key data along a computer circuit to an FBI technology office in Quantico. The circuits — little-known electronic connections between telecom firms and FBI monitoring personnel around the country — are used to tell the government who is calling whom, along with the time and duration of a conversation and even the locations of those involved.
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Facebook stays silent on reported settlement with rival Web site – Mercury News
Facebook is touting its new "chat" feature this week, but there is one topic the Palo Alto-based Web firm prefers not to discuss: claims that founder Mark Zuckerberg absconded with the Facebook idea from former Harvard schoolmates. Facebook, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment Monday on a New York Times report which, citing an anonymous source, said the company was "finalizing a settlement" with founders of rival ConnectU. Meanwhile, attorneys for both Facebook and ConnectU on Monday jointly listed documents to be filed under seal by the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.
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Copyright laws updated for digital world – stuff.co.nz
A bill that brings copyright laws into the digital age was passed by [the New Zealand] Parliament yesterday. The Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Bill changes the Copyright Act 1994 to clarify its application in the digital environment and to take account of international developments. It does not change the balance between protection and access to copyright material, but makes sure the balance can continue to operate when new technologies are involved. It introduces an offence, carrying a sentence of a maximum fine of $150,000 or up to five years imprisonment, or both, for commercial dealings in devices, services or information designed to circumvent technological protection measures.
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April 10th, 2008 at 5:28 am
“the September 11, 2001 attacks and other Islamist bombings” Total crap. That was a massive frame up by the Bush admin.”
“the rising number of Muslims in Europe threatens democratic values” Total BS. Everyone has their own cultural background and set of values. Who’s to say that European “values” are better than others?
Is Europe for Europeans only? That’s racism at it’s ugliest. I’m not Muslim nor do I support the Koran but I do respect the rights of others and tolerate their different ways. The Koran may say some ugly things, but most Muslims don’t follow it to the letter. But neither can they speak against it for fear of their lives, so don’t be hasty to judge, lest you be judged.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:36 am
“Copyright laws updated for digital world”
Surely this is “the legal eagles gone stark raving looney hour”.
Circumventing copyright protection should be a basic right, as they seek to destroy our rights of purchase and ownership, to make backup copies, share with our families and others less fortunate.